Link to story: http://www.1divpost.com/newsdetail.asp?article_id=5882

The annual two-day event is sponsored by Kansas State University, local businesses and vendors. On average the festival will see anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 visitors during the two day stretch.

As always, the FHJCC students handled their traffic control responsibilities with the utmost professionalism. One of the event coordinators, Gina Scroggs had this to say about the students, “We loving having these kids out here, we always know that they’re going to take their jobs seriously and complete the tasks they’re asked to do with the highest level of professionalism.”

Way to go FHJCC Security students, your Center is proud of the work you’re doing to better our community!

Words cannot express the pride that Flint Hills feels for the students that took the time and effort to send words of hope and encouragement to those that seemingly have none.

Here is a link to the article: http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x1517686992/Mike-Pound-Youngsters-send-messages-of-hope

One of the areas that was hit the hardest was Optimist Park which sits just a few hundred feet from Wildcat Creek. As the rains came and the river grew higher and higher there was nothing the maintenance crew of the park could do but watch and wait. When the river had finally crested nearly sixty percent of the fields were under water and the maintenance shed sat in five feet of water.

After being contacted by the Center’s Business and Community Liaison, the Optimists Club, students and the instructors from the Cement Masonry and Construction Craft Labor trades went to work. It took the group only four hours of work totaling nearly one-hundred man hours to restore the fields to their original condition.

Although many of the fields will need new sections of fence replaced; the fields were recognized as being safe for play by the grounds staff and throughout the Park the cry of, “Play Ball” could be heard.

Although he’s been with Flint Hills Job Corps for just a little more than a year, it didn’t take Brian long to buy into the mission and vision of the Job Corps Program. As the facilities maintenance supervisor Brian has a strong and positive working relationship with not only his staff and colleagues, but also with the students on Center. Its these positive relationships and a commitment to excellence that make it easy to see why Brian was nominated for this prestigious award.

Center Director Steve Reitan had this to say about the award winner, “Brian is an excellent model and mentor for each of our students here at Flint Hills Job Corp. He takes great pride in the work that he and his staff accomplish on Center, and it shows everywhere you look. Brian is truly an asset to our Flint Hills team, and I cannot imagine anyone more deserving of this award.”

Congratulations Brian, Flint Hills Job Corps is proud of you!

Although the day started like any normal training day the emphasis quickly shifted to a much ‘greener” mentality. Midway through the morning teams comprised of students and staff members assembed to begin a clean-up of Center and to assess potential green projects around campus. After the Center clean-up had been completed all participants enjoyed a bbq lunch that was prepared by the Center’s culinary staff.

Following the luncheon, festivities moved to the gymnasium for an awards assembly followed by dorm vs. dorm competitions. Dorms competed for prizes and pizza parties but ultimately the students all won with their newly gleened knowledge of the importance of taking care of the planet.

Final tallies show that over 220 students and staff members participated in the Earth Day Every Day Event held at Flint Hills. Counseling Manager Melissa Graf had this to say, “students really had a great time with what was going on here and they learned alot in regards to the planet and how to better take care of it.”

Dr. Tiffany Powell, U.S.D. #383 Diversity Coordinator, offered “The Face for the Place” workshop. During this workshop the women learned about the image they project as a result of the way they dress, talk, behave and interact with others. This workshop offered the students the opportunity to engage in discussion pertaining to the various roles women serve within the family, school, workplace, and community.

Upon completing “The Face for the Place” workshop, students were allowed to relax a bit with a more informal workshop titled “Dress-Up”. The ladies were given the opportunity to dress in formal wear, wedding attire and beachwear. Many students also took the opportunity to try out new hairstyles and make-up looks.

U.S.D. #383 facilitated a workshop that covered the importance of keeping a personal journal. Students were each given a journal and supplies with which to decorate them. During the decoration segment of the workshop the students learned about the benefits of keeping a journal. The benefits discussed included: decreased stress through writing, problem solving, increased writing proficiency and the preservation of memories in the written word.

Finally, the young women were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of “Health and Hygiene” workshops. Facilitators of these work shops covered topics such as: staying healthy with hand washing, the making of bath salts, and healthy snack creation. A Kansas State University group, SHAPE (Sexual Health and Peer Educators) facilitated discussions on sexually transmitted diseases, keeping yourself safe and making responsible decisions.

During the course of the day, each group learned detailed information about a significant woman in history. At the end of the day, each group presented their significant woman and the impact she made on the world to the entire group.

Although this day was fun and exciting for staff and students attending the off-Center event, month long activities took place on Center that included the entire student body and staff. Most notably was an essay contest for the students that asked them to write about the most influential woman in their lives. Winners of the essay contest were awarded prizes donated by a local jeweler.

A late Winter blizzard pushed through the Manhattan Community leaving over six inches of snow and many senior citizens without the ability to leave their homes.

Once the Job Corps Center was notified of the community need a team of students and staff were quickly immobilized to help.  The team, led by CCL instructor Norm Dreeszen in just a few hours managed to remove snow from five homes in the community much to the delight of their owners. 

Lynda Bachelor (Kansas State University Project Coordinator for Hands on Kansas State) had this to say about the team’s work,  ”If it weren’t for the Job Corps students we wouldn’t have gotten all of the snow removed in such a short amount of time.  It was an amazing effort by the students to get as many houses cleaned off as quickly as they did.”

Senator Moran has been an advocate for the Job Corps Program and as a U.S. Congressman was the co-chair for the Friends of Job Corps Caucus.  He, along with nine other officials will be honored during the breakfast that will kick-off a day of Capitol Hill visits for Job Corps students and staff visiting our Nation’s Capital for the annual MTC Leadership Conference.

To honor the Senator, Flint Hills Job Corps staff and students put together a “thank you” video that will be shown during the presenatation.  The video can be viewed on YouTube at the following url address:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHKiREVx0N4

The Flint Hills student and staff representatives include: Kimberly Rowland (student), Jaclyn Scudiero (student), Steve Reitan (center director) & Mario Morales (business and community liaison).

Exploring is a worksite-based program. It is part of Learning for Life’s career education program for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years old.  Students 21 and above are still eligible to be in the Explorer program but carry the title of leader.

Exploring’s purpose is to provide experiences that help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. Explorers are ready to investigate the meaning of interdependence in their personal relationships and communities.

Exploring is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth and the organizations in their communities. Local community organizations initiate a specific Explorer post by matching their people and program resources to the interests of young people in the community. The result is a program of activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, grow, and develop.

Exploring programs are based on five areas of emphasis: career opportunities, life skills, citizenship, character education, and leadership experience (Boy Scouts of America. http://www.learning-for-life.org/exploring/index.html).

The first trade to participate in the Explorer program at Flint Hills will be the Security Trade with other trades to follow throughout the year.